What makes Australia one of the top 10 tourism hot spots? Many whom have been there will tell you that the wildlife was the reason for their choice in destination. Travel Agencies are covered in posters or brochures calling out the Crocodile Dun Dee in all of us. With such a vast species of wildlife in Australia, the largest group called the marsupials claims most of land. This wondrous group of animals includes the wombats, wallabies, Tasmanian devils, as well as the beloved Kangaroos and Koalas.

Those young and young at heart always seem to enjoy the ever popular marsupials as they dine on their eucalyptus. These adorable koalas are nocturnal making their lazy day behavior that much more cuddly and cute to all who have the chance to see them. We often hear the term koala bears when in fact; they are not bears at all. Rather they are related to the kangaroo. These adorable creatures can to live up to 17 years if it weren’t for the fact that they are in danger of extinction. Yes, extinction. This is due to their natural habitat being destroyed all around them.

Like the beloved koala, kangaroos are just as amazing with 40 wonderfully different species. These kangaroos are enormous and are the world’s largest marsupial. Many kangaroos are taller than the average human. One amazing fact is that kangaroos are not able to walk backwards. Hence, they are often used as the symbol of Australia signifying moving forward and never moving back.

One of the rarest animals in Australia is the bandicoot. These insect and plants eating creatures are very small when in comparison to the great kangaroo. The Looney Toon cartoon character that we all loved and adored called the Tasmanian Devil, was responsible for the popularity the real animal was rewarded. Despite all the popularity, these animals live alone only coming out at night to feast.

Snakes cover much of the land in Australia with about 140 species. Thank goodness only ten percent are actually poisonous. If you’re looking for danger, you’ll find it in the thick Australian rainforest. This is you’ll find some of the deadliest and most poisons snakes in the entire world. If you would like a piece of danger from afar, be sure to listen out for the Dingo dog. Although a dog, you won’t hear it bark. You will however, hear howls from many miles away similar to that of a wolf. These wild dogs feast on our beloved kangaroos and wallabies.

Let’s not forget about the aquatic animals of Australia. You won’t find these animals anywhere else in the world thus adding to Australia’s uniqueness. Why are there so many amazing and exotic animals in Australia? This is greatly due the fact that Antarctica and Australia were once connected. The continent of Australia drifted away about 55 million years ago. Once Australia was out there on its own, nature took its course and an evolutionary process begun. This process alone brought about the vast variety and diverse number of animal species.

As much as Australia is known for all these wonderful and amazing species, many are in danger of extinction due to the increasingly degrading forest and rise in population. This is why so many advocates of animal welfare are working with the Australian government. Their goal is to hold fast and preserves these treasures. For, they are not only treasures to their native land of Australia. They are now considered to be national treasures as well.